Joe Hart: Celtic Park is built for the love of football
At long last, football seems to be heading back to some sort of normality and the news that crowds are increasingly being allowed to return to stadia couldn’t have come at a better time for new Bhoy, Joe Hart. He is relishing the prospect of playing at a packed Celtic Park, a stadium he said is, ‘built for the love of football’. The keeper knows how much Paradise means to the entire Celtic Family – players and supporters alike and returning to our home could be the perfect fillip for everyone in the best football sense.
He said: “It’s been strange and it’s been tough for all different reasons and we’ve all had our stories during Covid, some more severe than others. But, if you don’t want to go too deep, I think it’s the fact of missing being around each other and sharing the game that we love, and I know that stadium’s built for that.
"It’s built for the love of football so I think it will be a really special experience to feel that with the fans coming back into the stadium and getting back to what we love to do.
“The boys, what we love to do is play, and the fans, what they love to do is come and support.”
An abiding image of Joe Hart is his celebration of Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp title-winning goal for Manchester City back in 2012, and Celtic fans would love to see him recreating something similar in a Celtic shirt... he wouldn’t mind repeating it himself.
He said: “That was all about emotion, it was all about passion and I'm sure that’s what I'm walking into. As a team, we’ve got a big responsibility to bring moments like that to the stadium and to the supporters.
“It’s not going to be easy, it’ll be down to hard work, working together and being together as a group, both as players and fans.”
Hart has experience Celtic Park before, having taken part in Stan Petrov and James Milner Charity game in 2018 as well as playing for Manchester City in a pre-season friendly 10 years previously.
He recalled: “That was a great experience and that wasn’t even a proper game if you like. It’s steeped in history and I’d love to get the opportunity to step out in a Celtic shirt on it.
Playing at Celtic Park and some first-hand knowledge from goalkeeping friend, Fraser Forster, also played its part when Hart first heard that the Hoops were interested in signing him.
“I was pumped, I was obviously aware and I'm very good friends with Fraser," he explained. "I know how well he’s done here, I know how well he’s thought of here and deservedly so.
“If you’re not from Scotland, you still know about Celtic as they are known all around the world for those passionate reasons.
“There’s a great fan-base, a great stadium, history, European nights – these are all the things that I'm really hoping to be a part of.”
Celtic TV - First Interview with new Bhoy Joe Hart
Scottish Cup Semi Final
20.04.2024 13.30 Uhr DZ
Hampden Park
Celtic FC - Aberdeen 3-3 (6-5 n.E)
20.04.2024 13.30 Uhr DZ
Hampden Park
Celtic FC - Aberdeen 3-3 (6-5 n.E)
